New manager takes over at Belk

September 4, 2012

The Belk store in Cape Coral recently welcomed a new face to the team.

Cathy Norwood took over as store manager approximately two weeks ago. She relocated from Atlanta, where she was an assistant store manager. She has five years in with the company, working at three different stores.

"It is a pretty simple transition so far," Norwood said Tuesday, adding that employees and residents have been helpful with local information and tips.

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Cathy Norwood

Norwood has chosen to reside in the Cape.

"Just basically feeling a great sense of being welcomed," she said.

Belk, at 2342 Surfside Blvd., is a department store that offers everything from clothing and home merchandise, to fine jewelry and cosmetics. Norwood noted that the store carries Clinique, Estee Lauder and Lancome products.

"(It is) the one thing that kind of separates this store from any other store in Cape Coral," she said.

The Cape store opened in October 2007. Since then, the location has been successful in sales and credit and top-notch in the area of customer service.

"The store's always been number one with our customer service scores," Norwood said, adding that it is also known for its community outreach.

On Nov. 3, Belk will host a charity day event, which it puts on twice a year. The event is a fund-raiser for non-profit organizations in the community.

"We supply them with tickets and fliers for the store," Norwood said.

The tickets are sold for $5 a piece, and a ticket is required to attend the event. At the event, the ticket serves as a $5 coupon to spend in store.

"They (the non-profits) get to keep 100 percent of the money, and that goes to their organization," she said. "It's really just a grassroots effort."

Norwood added that for customers, it is one of the best shopping days.

Rarely discounted brands, like Fossil and Jessica Simpson, are marked 20 percent to 70 percent off. The $5 coupon can be applied to cosmetics.

"So, that is a really rare opportunity," she said.

During October - Breast Cancer Awareness Month - the store will sell merchandise to benefit the Susan G. Komen group. It has also offered gift wrapping and hosted bake sales with the donations to benefit the group.

Norwood said it is part of Belk's three-year, $3 million commitment.

People, like survivors, are welcome to volunteer to help raise donations.

Norwood wants to build on the store's existing foundation of quality, while continuing the great customer service and keeping things running smoothly.

"Maintaining the great standards that were in place and building on that by bringing in additional traffic," she said, adding that increasing the client base benefits customers. "The more we sell, the more products we get to sell."

Norwood welcomes feedback from the public, and she plans to have a presence on the store floor, prepared to meet and greet any customer.

"I'm very open to hearing from the community myself," she said.

For more information about how to benefit from Belk's charity day event, contact Norwood at 282-5692, ext. 201, or cathryn_norwood@belk.com.

Belk has a store credit card with a rewards program. Customers earn one point for every dollar spent; for 400 points, they receive a $10 certificate. Other reward perks can include free alterations, gift wrapping or delivery.